Jean Tigana, holder of a European Championship
medal as a player and a French League title winner as a manager, faces
what could be the most demanding task of his career as he attempts to
deliver the dreams of his ambitious boss.
Harrods owner Mohamed al-Fayed rescued Fulham from the doldrums
and now he has set his sights on establishing the Cottagers towards the
top of the Premiership - even if talk of the title might be a little premature.
Four years ago Fulham languished in Division Three and the transformation
has been remarkable.
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Jean
Tigana and Mohamed al-Fayed with the Division One Championship trophy
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Al-Fayed hired Kevin Keegan as manager and delivered him to England -
without ever receiving the British passport he craves in return. Keegan's
successor Paul Bracewell was doing well enough but al-Fayed wanted the
best and, that passport apart, what he wants he usually gets - or buys.
Enter Tigana. The 46-year-old veteran of 52 internationals for France
was a World Cup semi-finalist twice - Spain 1982 and Mexico 86 - as well
as playing in the 1984 European Championship-winning side on home turf.
At club level he won five French Championships; three with Bordeaux, including
the League and Cup double in 1987, and two with Marseille.
As a coach, Tigana won the title with Monaco in 1997, when they also reached
the UEFA Cup semi-finals, and the following season, after David Trezeguet's
goal at Old Trafford ended Manchester United's Champions League hopes
in the quarter-finals, Monaco eventually succumbed to Juventus in the
last four.
With his ambition of bringing ultimate European glory to Monaco unfulfilled,
Tigana walked away during the 1998-99 season leaving a legacy of attractive,
attacking football and the willingness to recruit and unleash the exciting
talents of performers like Emmanuel Petit, Thierry Henry, Fabien Barthez
and their fellow World Cup winner Trezeguet.
This is the style al-Fayed was seeking for Fulham and the man he simply
calls "the Maestro" did not disappoint him last season as his
side romped the First Division, finishing 10 points clear of second-placed
Blackburn.
It was all the more remarkable as Tigana arrived at Craven Cottage unable
to speak any English. The resulting low profile may or may not have been
an advantage but, after taking lessons, he promises: "I will speak
more next season."
Winning Division One was, however, merely a qualifier. Fulham's owner,
embarking on an ambitious ground development programme, has laid down
his marker for a new set of standards.
"When I invested in this club it was my vision for a future that
involved national and European honours with great players arriving at
Craven Cottage," he said. "In Jean Tigana we have a manager
who will fulfil the vision and we will be playing great football at one
of the finest grounds in Europe."
That is one tall order for a club whose best end-of-season placing was
10th in the old First Division way back in 1959-60. Merely staying in
the Premiership and establishing themselves would be a great relief for
most newly-promoted clubs. But last season both Ipswich and Charlton broke
the mould by winning promotion and firmly establishing themselves in the
top half of the table and emulating them looks the least that will satisfy
Fulham's enigmatic owner.
Tigana admits "I know it will be difficult", and he has already
found problems attracting the signings he wants to strengthen his squad.
The top players demand instant European action and that is the one thing
he cannot deliver - yet.
John Arne Riise opted to join Liverpool from Monaco because they offered
the challenge of the Champions League and then Anderlecht's giant Czech
striker Jan Koller turned down a move to Craven Cottage, opting for German
giants Borussia Dortmund, after his agents had apparently set up a deal
with Fulham.
The Premiership adventure begins under the full spotlight of the nation
with the most daunting challenge possible, an opening day visit to champions
Manchester United which Sky TV cameras will screen for the first live
match of the new season.
Fayed said: "We are champions, we are going to play the first game
with the champions. It is a great challenge and maybe we will be the champions
next."
Although he says it with a smile on his face he has the unmistakable glint
of ambition in his eyes.It remains to be seen if Tigana can deliver the
goods the Harrods' boss requires - by taking Mohamed up to the top of
the mountain.
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